The Official 2018 Amateur Draft Thread

[T.G.]

Just now, jordan said:

 Seems like another character guy.

And that's important to this fan (me). 

[Inside Pitch]

21 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

If Maitan hits like the Angels think he will, he could end up moving over to 1B and it wouldn't hurt his value.

But I don't think we've seen the best of Maitan yet. Here in the next couple years, something is going to click and he'll be a monster at the plate and in the field.

Yep, the old adage is keep them in the middle until they need to be moved to the corners....  At worst he proves he has the hands to play SS if not the range...  That sort of a rep isn't going to hurt him in the least.

[Chuck]

Man if Maitan murders the ball in Low-A short season later on this summer, our farm system may skyrocket into the elite 8. 

[Dave Saltzer]

It's time to get this show on the road! Day 2, here we go!

[Chuck]

28 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

A good read heading into today's draft.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-mlb-draft-day-one-analysis/

Righthanders Kumar Rocker, Adam Kloffenstein and Cole Wilcox are still on the board after 78 picks on Day 1, and while each player still has a shot of getting an overslot deal early on Day 2, the most likely scenario for each of these pitchers is that they now wind up on campus.

That means Vanderbilt (Rocker), TCU (Kloffenstein) and Georgia (Wilcox) could be getting massive talents to impact their respective programs this fall. Rocker and Kloffenstein were both thought to be tough signs prior to the draft, while Wilcox did exceedingly well for himself this spring and figured to be a potential target in the middle or back of the first round.

How teams would deal with the incredible depth of prep pitchers was one of the storylines to watch throughout this draft—and will continue to be worth watching as rounds 3-10 unfold Tuesday—but as of right now, these three pitchers look to be early casualties of the class.

Rocker is ranked as the No. 13 prospect on the BA 500, while Kloffenstein checks in at No. 35 and Wilcox at No. 37. Additionally for Vanderbilt, Ohio righthander Austin Becker (ranked No. 65) wasn't one of the names called on Day 1 and it sounds like he could be headed to Nashville along with Rocker, potentially giving coach Tim Corbin the most talented incoming pitching class in the nation.

[Dave Saltzer]

11 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Righthanders Kumar Rocker, Adam Kloffenstein and Cole Wilcox are still on the board after 78 picks on Day 1, and while each player still has a shot of getting an overslot deal early on Day 2, the most likely scenario for each of these pitchers is that they now wind up on campus.

That means Vanderbilt (Rocker), TCU (Kloffenstein) and Georgia (Wilcox) could be getting massive talents to impact their respective programs this fall. Rocker and Kloffenstein were both thought to be tough signs prior to the draft, while Wilcox did exceedingly well for himself this spring and figured to be a potential target in the middle or back of the first round.

How teams would deal with the incredible depth of prep pitchers was one of the storylines to watch throughout this draft—and will continue to be worth watching as rounds 3-10 unfold Tuesday—but as of right now, these three pitchers look to be early casualties of the class.

Rocker is ranked as the No. 13 prospect on the BA 500, while Kloffenstein checks in at No. 35 and Wilcox at No. 37. Additionally for Vanderbilt, Ohio righthander Austin Becker (ranked No. 65) wasn't one of the names called on Day 1 and it sounds like he could be headed to Nashville along with Rocker, potentially giving coach Tim Corbin the most talented incoming pitching class in the nation.

I'm willing to take a gamble on one of these three and to try and see if $1 million sways their decision to go to college. I don't know what their demands are, but, staring at $1 million on the table has to be pretty tempting. They won't get that much more if they move up from the 3rd round, and have a big chance to drop down if an injury or something happens.

[Dave Saltzer]

Well, there goes Kloffenstein. Someone is doing what I'm thinking. . . 

[Chuck]

Best day two prospects (ranked by Baseball America).

 

[Dave Saltzer]

We're on the clock . . . 

[Inside Pitch]

Aaron Hernandez !

MLB.com -- Look at all those 55 grades!

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Hernandez whetted scouts' appetites when he threw in the mid-90s during fall practice in 2016, but he became academically ineligible and missed his entire sophomore season at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. He built up more anticipation with a brief summer stint in the Cape Cod League and another strong fall last year, then created all kinds of buzz by touching 98 mph and fanning a combined 27 in his second and third starts this spring. He hasn't been that dominant on a consistent basis, but he'll still easily surpass Dan Minor (ninth round, 2012) as the highest-drafted player in Islanders history.

Hernandez has a lightning-quick arm that delivers 92-98 mph fastballs with sink, and he maintains his velocity into the late innings. He also has three secondary pitches that grade as plus at their best. His mid-80s slider is probably the most reliable, though some scouts prefer his tumbling changeup and his low-80s curveball features depth.

Despite his quality stuff, Hernandez gets hit harder than he should. He's not particularly tall and has an uphill delivery, costing him plane on his pitches. His command also fluctuates, and his ability to locate his pitches where he wants ultimately will determine if he can make it as a starter.

Edited June 5, 2018 by Inside Pitch

[Chuck]

Aaron Hernandez

4YRRHP

Notes:

School: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Scouting Report: Hernandez has some of most consistent velocity in Texas, as he regularly sat 92-95 mph touching 97-98 this season. Hernandez pitches across his body as well, which helps hide the ball early in his delivery. But scouts say that Hernandez’s fastball doesn’t play to the radar gun readings, as it’s very true with minimal late life. Hernandez relies a lot on his above-average 80-83 mph slurvy breaking ball. It has some power, although its shape is more side-to-side than a true, downer curveball and it has a bigger break than a harder slider. Hernandez has some effort to his delivery and some evaluators believe his stuff will eventually player better out of the bullpen.

[Chuck]

Per Jim Callis on MLB Network "Tons of upside here". 

[totdprods]

Sort of an echo of Garrett Richards maybe?

[Chuck]

Just now, totdprods said:

Sort of an echo of Garrett Richards maybe?

Sounds like it. 

[Dreams]

Aaron Hernandez: Throws in the 90's, has hit 98 mph.  He's a starter, but sounds like he might be converted to a reliever.  Ranked #79, Angels pick him up for the #93 overall pick.

[Chuck]

2 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Per Jim Callis on MLB Network "Tons of upside here". 

 

[Dave Saltzer]

3 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Aaron Hernandez

4YRRHP

Notes:

School: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 175 | B-T: R-R | Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Scouting Report: Hernandez has some of most consistent velocity in Texas, as he regularly sat 92-95 mph touching 97-98 this season. Hernandez pitches across his body as well, which helps hide the ball early in his delivery. But scouts say that Hernandez’s fastball doesn’t play to the radar gun readings, as it’s very true with minimal late life. Hernandez relies a lot on his above-average 80-83 mph slurvy breaking ball. It has some power, although its shape is more side-to-side than a true, downer curveball and it has a bigger break than a harder slider. Hernandez has some effort to his delivery and some evaluators believe his stuff will eventually player better out of the bullpen.

I'm thinking future closer here.

[tdawg87]

His name is Aaron Hernandez? 

Lol

[Angelsfan1984]

That delivery screams shoulder issues to me.

[Warfarin]

Aaron Hernandez... not the best of names to have given recent NFL history, but his scouting report sounds great!

[bloodbrother]

Killer draft pick by the Angels IMO

[eaterfan]

1 minute ago, tdawg87 said:

His name is Aaron Hernandez? 

Lol

Looks like Trout isn't the TE on the Angel's football team anymore.

[Inside Pitch]

1 minute ago, Warfarin said:

Aaron Hernandez... not the best of names to have given recent NFL history, but his scouting report sounds great!

It's ok cause this guy pronounces it ... A-A-Ron...

[tdawg87]

Just now, bloodbrother said:

Killer draft pick by the Angels IMO

There it is!

[SoWhat]

lol